Research on the medical care of infants and children. Covers pediatric emergencies, blood-pressure thresholds, infectious disease, kidney injury, and developmental health.
A new study by Indiana University School of Medicine found that increasing pediatric readiness in emergency departments can reduce racial disparities in children and adolescents with acute medical emergencies. The higher the level of readiness, the lower the disparity between racial and ethnic groups.
People with asthma and COPD face increased breathing difficulties due to climate change's effects on heatwaves, wildfires, and flooding. Experts urge governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate these risks.
Researchers aim to identify genetic risk factors and mechanisms underlying virus-induced asthma, using artificial intelligence-based techniques and patient-derived models. The study may lead to personalized prevention campaigns and mechanism-targeted drugs.
A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that feeding infants formula with a complex component of milk (MFGM) and lactoferrin for 12 months raised IQ by 5 points at 5 ½ years of age, improving speed of processing information and visual-spatial skills. The effects were seen long after the end of formula feeding.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that children who spent more than four hours a day on screens at age one were more likely to experience developmental delays by age four. The research suggests that different domains of development, such as communication and problem-solving skills, may be affected differently by screen time.
A recent study by researchers from Hackensack Meridian Health found that recurrent fevers in children increased significantly during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study suggests that these fevers may be more common than previously thought and could have been overlooked in non-pandemic times.
Late preterm infants face academic delays, but sensitive parenting and preschool enrollment can mitigate this risk. Early relational health and developmental support prior to school entry are key strategies.
New research led by Nansi Boghossian found that sickle cell disease contributes to racial disparities in severe maternal morbidity, with Black individuals at least 1.5 times more likely to experience complications. The study suggests preconception care and management are critical for improving pregnancy outcomes for patients with sickl...
Researchers found a common bacterial signature associated with the development of eczema, asthma, food allergy, and hay fever in children. The study suggests that early life influences on gut microbiota may play a key role in the development of these allergies.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have made a significant breakthrough in transforming rhabdomyosarcoma cells into regularly functioning muscle cells using differentiation therapy. This innovative approach has the potential to spare patients and their families from pain and suffering by offering a new treatment option.
Researchers found that playing a lullaby reduced pain levels in newborn infants undergoing a heel prick blood test. The study, published in Pediatric Research, suggests that recorded music may be an effective method of pain relief in newborns during minor procedures.
Researchers at UC Irvine issue a warning that GLP-1RA's may be dangerous for children due to the risk of nutrient imbalance and abuse. The team notes that children need energy and sufficient calories for growth and development, and any change in their diet and exercise balance can have long-term health consequences.
A new study by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute found that residence in neighborhoods with higher opportunity or lower vulnerability is associated with a decreased risk of pediatric asthma. The study used a geographically diverse cohort of over 10,000 children and examined associations between neighborhood attributes and asthma in...
A recent analysis of published studies reveals a lack of evidence to determine the dosing, safety, and efficacy of medical marijuana or cannabis-containing products for managing symptoms experienced by children with cancer. The study found that cannabinoids performed better in managing nausea and vomiting, but data are lacking on their...
The American Dental Association has released a new clinical practice guideline recommending the use of acetaminophen and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as first-line treatments for managing short-term dental pain in children under 12. The guideline has been endorsed by the American Dental Association.
A study at the University of Gothenburg found that preterm babies given a supplement with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids had improved visual function by age 2.5. The supplement also seemed to improve the brain's ability to interpret visual impressions.
Researchers found a significant increase in pediatric trauma admissions during the COVID-19 pandemic, with younger patients and falls from moderate heights being more common. Blood alcohol levels were also higher in patients aged 14-18 years old, suggesting targeted interventions to curb alcohol use may be needed
A new study published in Pediatrics reveals that children from lower opportunity neighborhoods experienced a significantly higher rate of firearm-related injury during the pandemic. The study found that unsafe storage of guns and single-parent households, combined with the stress of an unprecedented international emergency, exacerbated...
A recent study published in JAMA Pediatrics analyzed the severity of COVID-19 in pediatric patients, finding that intensive care unit admissions decreased over time but ventilatory support remained stable in younger children under age 5.
A new study found that fewer than a third of children have had their vision checked in the past year, with uninsured and public-insured kids having lower rates than privately insured peers. The disparity in screening rates is linked to disparities in primary care visits focused on prevention and early detection.
A Texas A&M University team is exploring 3D printing to create tailored medication dosage and tablet size for young children, addressing the need for greater flexibility in administering medications. The project aims to maintain drugs' integrity and effectiveness while advancing the field of pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine have discovered a potential treatment for diffuse midline glioma, a type of childhood brain tumor with no effective treatments. The compound ONC201 nearly doubled survival rates in patients with the disease, and the underlying mechanism behind its success has been explained.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia developed TEQUILA-seq, a cost-effective technology for targeted long-read RNA sequencing. This innovation enables accurate accounting of all RNA molecules emanating from a single gene, crucial for understanding diseases like cancer.
Research found integrated behavioral health care improves children's mental health and school performance, supporting the potential benefits of pediatric integrated behavioral health care. The study, which included 51 children served by FQHCs in Massachusetts, showed significant improvements over 12 months.
A group of leading scholars in pediatric ethics have published six recommendations for guiding parents and clinicians in medical decision-making for children. The recommendations aim to provide a unified set of principles that will be more accessible and applicable for clinicians, parents, and legal guardians.
Researchers have discovered a link between adenovirus infection and an anti-platelet factor 4 disorder, which can cause severe thrombocytopenia. The condition is rare and potentially fatal, and has been reported in patients with viral symptoms and no exposure to heparin or vaccines.
A new approach to immunotherapy has shown long-term survival rates exceeding 50% in children with high-risk neuroblastoma. Stem cell transplantation from a parent provides a renewed immune system that responds better to immunotherapies, improving outcomes.
The Keck School of Medicine's Primary Care Program has shown a significant increase in primary care residency matches and representation, particularly among underrepresented groups. The program provides skill-based training, mentorship, and community-focused experiences that prepare students for careers in primary care medicine.
A new study published in JAMA Network Open shows that methadone use following surgery in infants can increase hospital stay and delay recovery. Babies who required methadone needed to stay in the hospital an average of 21 days longer after surgery, as well as more days on ventilators and IV nutrition.
Critically ill children on ventilator support can experience patient-ventilator asynchrony (PVA), which worsens outcomes. Researchers are using machine learning to develop a common set of definitions and measurements for PVA in pediatric patients, aiming to minimize risks and improve clinical outcomes.
A new study reveals a high incidence of youth with cardiovascular risk factors but inadequate resources to provide preventive care. Pediatricians and policymakers must address these gaps by investing in pediatric preventive cardiology and increasing collaboration between programs.
A new American Heart Association science advisory emphasizes the need for more resources and best practices in pediatric preventive cardiovascular care. The survey found that many programs are overwhelmed with referrals and have long wait times, highlighting the importance of updated guidelines and strategic action plans.
A radiomic-based model using T2-weighted MRI data achieved high accuracy in diagnosing pediatric Crohn disease, outperforming expert radiologists. The model was ensembled with clinical data to further improve performance.
Researchers investigated H3K27me3 expression patterns in pediatric brain tumors, finding a global loss of this epigenetic mark in diffused midline glioma (DMG). This loss was associated with high relapse rates and poor survival, highlighting the potential for targeting H3K27me3 as an epigenetically guided cancer therapy.
A new review recommends raising the age of body contact in hockey leagues from 13 to 15 to reduce concussion rates. Studies show injury rates are four times higher for kids and teens with body checking, while eliminating it reduces concussion rates by over 50%.
A new drug formulation designed for treating children with HIV has shown safety, tolerability, and effectiveness in a study published in The Lancet HIV. The formulation contains three medications and was found to suppress HIV levels below 200 copies/mL in 98% of participants.
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina describe a new, non-surgical approach to managing hydrocephalus by implanting a shunt-clearing device and performing daily flushing. The study shows promising results, reducing revision surgeries and improving patient outcomes.
A team led by CHLA's Dr. Jesse Berry is conducting an international liquid biopsy retinoblastoma study to investigate the use of liquid biopsies for diagnosis and disease severity determination. The study will provide valuable genetic and chromosomal information, enabling oncologists to diagnose retinoblastoma at a molecular level.
A new study by Dr. Stacey Martiniano found that late diagnosis of cystic fibrosis due to delays in evaluation after a positive newborn screen test results in poorer long-term nutritional outcomes, including reduced weight-for-age and height-for-age. Early initiation of CF care is essential to improve health outcomes in infants with CF.
The NEC Society is hosting its annual symposium in San Diego to advance research and advocacy against the devastating intestinal disease necrotizing enterocolitis. The event will bring together families, clinicians, and researchers from around the world to share knowledge and expertise.
Researchers developed a blood test to detect nerve injury in MS and found it works for children, even when symptom-free. The test measures neurofilament light chain levels, which reflect nerve cell injury.
A new study shows that earlier transfer to specialized care is associated with better outcomes for infants with NOWS, including shorter hospital stays and less exposure to medication. The study found that nonpharmacologic interventions, such as swaddling and pacifier use, are critical to clinical outcomes.
A study found that family medicine physicians have the lowest net returns per dose for HPV vaccines, while pediatricians received higher reimbursement amounts. The researchers also observed a positive association between reimbursement and increased HPV vaccine doses administered, particularly among family physicians.
A new study suggests that bacterial testing in children with sinusitis could greatly reduce unnecessary antibiotic use. By identifying which children are likely to benefit from antibiotics, doctors can avoid prescribing medications to those who wouldn't see improvement in symptoms.
The study used electronic health record data from over 200,000 children to describe patterns of pediatric allergies across the US, validating the 'allergic march' pattern. It also found that eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is more common among non-White patients than previously reported.
Participation in a home visiting program reduced risk of adverse birth outcomes by up to 23% among Medicaid recipients. Black individuals saw greater risk reductions, highlighting disparities in prenatal and postnatal care.
A large-scale US study finds that breastfeeding reduces post-perinatal infant mortality by 33%. The findings suggest promoting and supporting breastfeeding could help address the high rate of infant mortality in the US. Regional variations exist, with higher initiation rates associated with lower mortality rates.
Researchers at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that eliminating a key driver of cancer also hastened aging in mice. Despite accelerated aging, these mice lived up to 20% longer than normal mice due to lower cancer rates.
A mother-daughter duo has created a storybook to comfort bereaved families who have lost a child to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The book, Forever Our Little One, features illustrations inspired by the family's experiences. The NEC Society will benefit from all sales, supporting research into the devastating intestinal disease.
A new study from Northwestern University found that only 13% of US parents and caregivers are aware of the 2017 NIH guidelines recommending early peanut introduction to prevent peanut allergy. Despite this, more work is needed to educate families and clinicians about the guidelines.
Researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine will conduct a multicenter randomized control trial to test the benefits of enhanced primary care (E-PRIME) in children with complex chronic conditions.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that NSAIDs exacerbate C. difficile infections by disrupting epithelial cell mitochondria, sensiting them to toxins. The study shows that NSAIDs and C. difficile toxins work synergistically to increase virulence, leading to increased disease severity and mortality.
A new study reveals that breast milk contains a unique set of antibodies passed from mom to baby, which can vary significantly between mothers. This variability may explain why some infants develop life-threatening diseases like NEC, while others do not.
A study of 800 Dutch children found that modified treatment protocols increased the five-year survival rate for all children with acute lymphatic leukemia to 94%. The modifications resulted in a three times lower risk of disease recurrence, especially in children with an aggressive form of leukemia.
A randomized controlled trial funded by NIH found low-dose atropine eyedrops to be no better than placebo in slowing myopia progression among US children. The study contradicts previous East Asian trials that showed a benefit from 0.01% atropine. Further research is needed to identify an optimal approach for preventing high myopia.
Researchers found that among individuals being treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, those overweight or obese had lower survival rates. The study suggests obesity may play an adverse role in response to ALL treatment regimens.
A new study found that COVID-19 pandemic babies had communication skill gaps at age 2, with a larger proportion scoring below standardised cut-offs for developmental concern. Despite this, most developmental and behavioral outcomes were comparable to pre-pandemic born babies.
A new study calls for collaborative efforts to improve probiotic manufacturing standards for preterm infants. The authors propose five action areas to optimize the safety of probiotic products, including collaboration between clinicians, pharmacies, and manufacturers.
A cross-sectional study found that over one-fourth of children experienced delayed or missed preventive care during the pandemic. Targeted interventions may be necessary to address these disparities in timely pediatric care.
A new study from Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that restricting sweet flavorings and cooling agents in e-cigarettes could significantly reduce youth vaping rates. Nearly 39% of survey respondents would quit using their e-cigarettes if tobacco-flavored e-liquids were the only options available.